Isolation caddy

ABSTRACT

Bulky isolation supplies of gowns, masks, and gloves are often located in patients&#39; rooms, hall isolation carts, and boxes; these inconvenient supply locations clutter hallways of healthcare facilities and pose fire, logistic, and regulatory problems.  
     Due to space limitations, the proposed hanging storage unit had to be capable of being hung from a door, needed to contain items for patients on isolation, and required variable pocket sizes to accommodate isolation gowns, face masks, regulated medical waste bags and tags, stethoscope, and thermometer.  
     Nomex, a fire retardant material that can be chemically cleaned, was light weight, and conveniently woven, was finally selected as the fabric of choice. This invention is not limited to a reusable fabric, a disposable fabric is another alternative.  
     Christmas wreath hangers were used to secure the bag to the door. The heavy-duty hangers held the weight of the caddy and the contents and allowed the door to close securely.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing medical supplies.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Drug-resistant pathogens are a growing menace to all people, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic background. They endanger people in affluent, industrial societies like the United States, as well as in less developed nations. While anyone may acquire a drug-resistant infection, certain people are at increased risk, e.g., patients in hospitals and children in daycare centers.

[0003] The costs of treating antimicrobial resistant (AR) infections place a significant burden on society—a burden that is likely to grow larger as the number of cases of drug-resistant illness increase. Individuals infected with drug-resistant organisms are more likely to require hospitalization, to remain in the hospital for a longer time, and to have a poor prognosis. For example, it has been estimated that the in-hospital cost of hospital-acquired infections caused by just six common kinds of resistant bacterial are at least $1.3 billion per year, in 1992 dollars.

[0004] Measures to prevent infection transmission, whether drug-resistant or not, are very important in controlling AR. These measures include the appropriate use of vaccines and infection control, sanitation, and hygiene measures. Efforts to control drug-resistant infections have become part of everyday practice in healthcare settings across the nation, as well as in other settings (e.g., agriculture and veterinary medicine) in which antimicrobial drugs are used.

[0005] Nosocomial infections, those acquired in the hospital, have been recognized for over a century as a critical problem affecting the quality of healthcare and a principal source of adverse healthcare outcomes. Today, nosocomial infections affect over 2 million patients annually in the United States, at a cost in excess of $4.5 billion. Among all major complications of hospitalization, nosocomial infections account for 50%, the remaining are medication errors, patient falls, and other noninfectious adverse events.

[0006] The most important and frequent mode of transmission of nosocomial infections is divided into two subgroups; direct-contact transmission and indirect-contact transmission. Direct-contact transmission involves a direct body surface-to-body surface contact and physical transfer of microorganisms between a susceptible host and an infected or colonized person. Indirect-contact transmission involves contact of a susceptible host with a contaminated intermediate object, usually inanimate, such as contaminated instruments, needles, or dressings, or contaminated hands that are not washed and gloves that are not changed between patients.

[0007] Isolation precautions are designed to prevent transmission of microorganisms by these routes in hospitals. Because agent and host factors are difficult to control, interruption of transfer of microorganisms is directed primarily at transmission. A variety of infection control measures are used for decreasing the risk of transmission of microorganisms in hospitals. These measures make up the fundamentals of isolation precautions, and include the wearing of gloves, masks, goggles, face shields, and various types of gowns and protective apparel.

[0008] To prevent nosocomial transmission of AR infections, healthcare workers need convenient access to isolation supplies. Historically, supplies have either been kept in patient rooms or on hall isolation carts directly outside patient rooms. While providing convenient access to healthcare workers, these storage locations also create fire and safety hazards by cluttering rooms and hallways.

[0009] Consequently, what the art needs is a method and apparatus for conveniently storing isolation supplies sufficiently close to a patient's room without creating a fire or safety hazard.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] This invention solves the problems encountered with using carts for storing isolation supplies outside patient rooms. One aspect of the invention is an isolation caddy for storing medical supplies, having a backing with at least one pocket for holding medical supplies attached thereto, and a means for hanging the isolation caddy from a door.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention is a method for storing isolation supplies, including placement of isolation supplies in pockets that are attached to a backing, and hanging the backing from a door.

[0012] A feature of the invention is the ability to store isolation supplies in a central location close to a patient's room without cluttering the hallway and creating a safety hazard.

[0013] Another feature of the invention is the ability to roll or fold the isolation caddy with supplies secured in the pockets for easy transport and storage.

[0014] Another feature of the invention is that is fire retardant Another advantage of the invention is that it can be chemically disinfected thereby eliminating the need for the isolation caddy to leave the hospital. Another advantage of the invention is that it encourages isolation compliance, thus aiding in the prevention of the spread antibiotic resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015]FIG. 1 is a front view of an isolation caddy.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a back view of an isolation caddy.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a front dimensional view of an isolation caddy.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a back dimensional view of an isolation caddy.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a rod dimensional view of an isolation caddy.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] This invention is described in relation to isolation supplies, e.g., gowns, masks, gloves, etc., for convenience purposes only. It is within the scope of the invention to provide a caddy for storing a wide variety of medical supplies. This invention is not intended to be limited to the storage of isolation supplies.

[0021] The backing of the invention has attached thereto at least one pocket for holding medical supplies, and also has attached thereto a means for hanging the isolation caddy from a door. The backing can optionally be hard with a means for folding, but is preferably made of a soft material that can be folded. For example, the backing may be made of wood, plastic, or any other variety of fabric materials that can support the at least one pocket and the hanging means. However, it is desirable that the backing of the present invention be made of a material sufficiently flexible that the isolation caddy can be folded for convenient transport and storage. For that reason, the backing is preferably made of a fabric such as Nomex, that is lightweight, fire retardant, and capable of being chemically disinfected. This invention is not limited to reusable fabric, a disposable fabric is an alternative. The backing may optionally have a means for securing the pockets in a closed position.

[0022] Attached to the backing is at least one pocket, and preferably four pockets, for holding isolation supplies. The pockets are preferably of a size appropriate for snuggly holding isolation gowns, masks, regulated medical waste bags, and linen isolation tags, and waterless handcleaner, respectively. The pockets also may optionally contain a means for closing. Nonlimited examples of means for closing include snaps, velcro, or two-way tape.

[0023] In order to encourage isolation compliance, the invention is preferably attached to a patient's door. Optional hanging means include nailing or tacking the caddy to the door, using velcro strips to secure the caddy, or hanging the caddy using a rope inserted through at least one eyelet in the backing. Desirably, the backing has at least one eyelet for receiving a hanger to hand the caddy on a patient door, and preferably the backing has two eyelets for receiving two hangers. Preferably the hangers are Christmas wreath hangers that are sufficiently sturdy to hold the weight of the caddy and its contents. The hangers also allow the door to close securely while the caddy is mounted. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolation caddy for storing medical supplies outside a patient room, comprising: A backing having attached thereto at least one pocket for holding the medical supplies; and A means for hanging the isolation caddy from a door.
 2. A method of storing medical supplies outside a patient room, comprising the step of attaching an isolation caddy to a door. 